Chapter 26
Jacen looked over the assembled Jedi students and Knights. There were about three
hundred, of every species and age coming close to filling the auditorium. "We've got a situation. The CSA has blockaded the system." he paused as whispers ran through the crowd. "I need everyone with combat experience up here. The rest of you, Danni Quee will talk to you at the back of the room."
All of the Jedi Knights stepped forward towards Jacen as well as about two dozen students. "The situation is bad," he said quietly, so the rest of the trainees wouldn't hear. "We've got a big fleet. Two Victory Star Destroyers, a Super Star Destroyer, and other support ships. They've got close to two hundred fighters altogether."
One of the apprentices, a Bothan, called Irikal Ayr'van, whistled. "This is wonderful. We've got only forty or so Jedi who can fight. There's got to be thousands of them up there."
"We're making plans. Reinforcements are on their way. We've got to hold out. Already, engineers from the base are fortifying the outer perimeter against a ground assault."
"And if they attack from the air?" another apprentice asked.
"The shields will hold. We're not diverting power to the main ion cannons, so they're at three hundred percent above their normal strength. In a few minutes you'll need you to report to the gymnasium. There are soldiers there that will equip you for battle."
Irikal shook his head. "I do not need to be equipped." He barred his teeth. "I've got a weapon of my own." He pulled a vibrosword out of its scabbard. "It's not a lightsaber, but it will do."
"Well head there just the same. You can go. All of the full Knights, stay."
The apprentices walked off towards the gym. "What will you have us do Master Solo?"
"Right now, I need help calming the younger students. I know a few of you were in the military, so maybe you could help the engineers in fortifying the Complex's perimeter. The shields should hold, but we need to be able to hold out against a ground assault."
Several Jedi nodded and left. "I'll contact you as soon as I need you. Get to work." The crowd of battle-able Jedi dissipated.
Jacen's headset beeped. "Solo. This is Farlander. A Rebel Corellian Corvette has dropped out of hyperspace.
They'veasked for help getting to the ground. Somehow, the ship has a whole squadron of X-wings, and a few TIEs, but they need more of an escort."
"Can it fit inside the biotics facility?"
"Not with all of the other ships in there. It's going to land in the center of the Complex. We're going to let up on the shields a little bit and blast any capitol ships that are after the Corvette with the ion cannons."
"Alright. Call me when they reach the ground."
***
Up in space, Anakin proved why he had been picked for an elite squadron. They had been out of hyperspace for only two minutes, and he had already logged three kills. He saw another bomber swoop towards the Night Caller and moved to intercept it. Before he could get a lock on the TIE, a blast from one of the other Wraiths got it.
"Too slow Twelve!" shouted Larvaroo in his tinny voice.
"We've got ten more minutes before we're dirtside. When we get there a mug of Whyren's Reserve for everyone!" said Face. "Five," he whispered, though still on the main channel, "think that'll motivate them?"
"Always does Lead."
The thirteen X-wings suffered no losses, and kept TIE bombers from reaching the Night Caller. Another X-wing squadron sped towards the engagement zone from Borleias. "This is Screaming Wookiee Lead to unidentified X-wing squadron. Looks like you have the situation under control, but we're here to give you a hand getting to the ground.
"Wookiee Lead, this is Wraith One, show us down."
Because the Night Caller's course had dropped them out of hyperspace on Borleias's day side, they had avoided the main CSA fleet, leaving them a relatively easy decent into atmosphere. Still, there were a few Ties, and with help from the Screaming Wookiee training squadron, the Wraiths made it to the ground safely.
Several speeders were waiting for the Night Crawler when it touched down. The X-wings were guided into the Biotics facility. Anakin was amazed by the inside of the hanger bay. It was huge, and ships of every size filled it. There were several squadrons of fighters docked, and support crews flitted about, providing maintenance for all of the fighter squadrons based in the Biotics facility.
A young officer guided the Wraiths through the labyrinth hanger and to a speeder that took them out to where the Night Crawler had landed.
Keyan Farlander, his XOs, and a couple of other officers stood outside the Night Crawler along with Jacen Solo. Anakin saw they were deep in conversation with Captain Tabanne.
After meeting all of the officers, the Wraiths were pulled into a briefing session that lasted a couple of hours, and Anakin was about ready to stun every officer there if he couldn't get to a hypercomm unit and warn Tahiri not to come to Borleias.
When he finally did get to a comm unit, he was answered only with static. "Sithspit!" he cried, throwing a fist into the wall and leaving a substantial dent. There was only one methos left, and it might not work.
Anakin cleared his mind completely and reached out in the Force for Tahiri. He found her unique signature quickly, and he realized with growing dread that it was only an standard hour from Borleias. Tahiri! Don't come!
He didn't know whether she had heard and ignored his warning, or hadn't heard at all. All he knew was that if the Corporate Sector Authority, killed Tahiri, they would face the vengeance of Anakin Solo!